Glamping: Glamorous Camping in the Great Outdoors

“Glamping: Glamorous Camping in the Great Outdoors aims to extoll the joys of luxurious outdoorsmanship via 60 profiles of notable glamping spots, accompanied by a generous sampling of photos.”

The very term "glamping" may inspire enthusiasm or scorn depending on your point of view, but Julia Schattauer's Glamping: Glamorous Camping in the Great Outdoors aims to extoll the joys of luxurious outdoorsmanship via 60 profiles of notable glamping spots, accompanied by a generous sampling of photos.

If nothing else, Glamping demonstrates that glamorous camping can take place in a wide range of accommodations. Ranging over 24 European countries, from the top of Sweden to the bottom of Spain, Schattauer takes in all manner of structures: treehouses, bio-domes, refurbished campers and cabins, and yurts. Each profile provides details on what types of lodging and environment to expect, related activities, and the general vibe, whether adventurous or cozy.

Just as varied are the locations of these glamping opportunities—remote villages, frozen tundras, national parks, alpine getaways, and eco-resorts—and the activities they offer, from horseback riding to water sports, wolf-watching, yoga or just plain relaxation. The photography (from a host of sources) is Glamping's main attraction, and even the most curmudgeonly of travelers would be hard-pressed to avoid being enticed by the sights and lodgings on display.

But while the photos by themselves are enough to fuel daydreams of exotic getaways, the same sadly can't be said of Glamping's text and presentation. Schattauer's passion for her subject is evident, but too often her profiles read like tourist bureau brochures, rendered in chewy English translation. For example: "Those who dive into this lovingly designed parallel universe witness with their own eyes that 'doing things differently' is possible." Likewise, the book's layout—plain Verdana fonts, simplistic spreads for the photos—is more workmanlike than inspiring.

Still, as an alternative to random searches on the Internet for planning a glamping experience, Glamping provides plenty of scenic food for thought, and also throws in a few useful tips for each accommodation, along with relevant website listings. If the text falls short of presenting a persuasive argument for glamping’s allure, the photography does yeoman’s work in offering a glimpse of the fun possibilities that await.